Shocking images show how whole towns STILL lie in ruins one year on from Italy earthquake that killed 299 as homeless Italians blast government for failing them

The Italian town is still surrounded by debris since the carnage, which killed 249 people, began a year ago.

By Maryse Godden

24th August 2017, 5:17 pm

Updated: 24th August 2017, 5:17 pm

RESIDENTS in Amatrice, the Italian town worst hit by a deadly earthquake a year ago today, gathered to mourn love loved ones in the disaster.

A torch-lit vigil was held at 3:36 am - the exact moment the earthquake hit central Italy - and the church clock tower which still stands today chimed its bell 249 times in memory of the number of people who died there.

Rex Features

Residents in Amatrice marked the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit central Italy as most of their town stood in rubble

Rex Features

249 people died last August in the 6.2 magnitude earthquake and even though a year has passed, the Italian authorities have not progressed with reconstruction work

EPA

Hundreds were injured and left needing temporary accomodation as the severe quake devastated Umbria

Residents marked the anniversary in Amatrice with a candlelit vigil held at the exact time the earthquake hit

EPA

Hundreds of mourners met to remember the natural disaster at 3:36 am, the time the earthqake hit the small town last year

EPA

Even though the town is still in mourning, there is considerable anger over the government's lack of action

EPA

Many residents are still stuck in temporary accommodation and some even have to live in caravans as they have nowhere else to go

The earthquake which ripped through communities in the rugged, hilly region still haunts the country.

Images taken in Amatrice still show the town surrounded by debris since the carnage began.

Just before midnight, residents paid their respects to each of the victims by reading out their names as well as an anecdote about their life in a two-hour ceremony punctuated by applause.

EPA

Other villages and hamlets where another 60 people died will hold their own ceremonies later on Thursday, with memorials planned in Accumoli, Arquata del Tronto and Pescara del Tronto

EPA

In the town of Accumoli Hundreds of residents were moved into hotels in San Benedetto del Tronto and a year later, reconstruction work is moving at a sluggish pace

Rex Features

Even though the government have invested 6.1 billion Euros in the reconstruction of the area, many are furious over the many delays

Rex Features

The town's mayor Stefano Petrucci told VOA News: "It is not moving fast enough. We must begin to return to live as a community"

They then gathered for a silent candlelit march which began at the local football pitch, where last year's mass funerals were held, which wound its way through the streets where many houses still lie in ruins.

Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi also unveiled a memorial called Fidelis Amatrix, after the words engraved on an ancient local coin.

Most read in news

HAPPY BEASTER

UK set for 'White Easter' as 'Beast from East 3' could see snow until April